Understanding hijab-wearing behaviour among female university students: an empirical examination of cultural influence, family influence, and personal preference

ABSTRACT

The study aims to examine the impact of cultural influence, family influence and personal preference on hijab-wearing behaviour among female university students. By employing convenience sampling, a sample of 350 students from two large public sector universities was selected. Data were collected through a well-structured cross-sectional survey having items assessing cultural, family influences and personal preference, as well as hijab-wearing behaviour. SmartPLS-4 software was used to test the study hypotheses. The results showed that cultural influence and family influence along with personal preference have a significantly positive impact on hijab-wearing behaviour. The study highlights the importance of cultural and familial influences and personal preference in determining hijab-wearing behaviour among female university students. It suggests further research to examine potential mediating and moderating factors, as well as the influence of religious beliefs and peer pressure. Practical implications for educators, policymakers, and religious leaders are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Cultural influence
• family influence
• personal preference
• hijab-wearing behaviour

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Muhammad Shahzad

Muhammad Shahzad has been working as lecturer at department of sociology, University of Gujrat, Pakistan since 2012. He has ten years’ experience of teaching sociology of religious values and beliefs, industrial sociology, and sociology of education. His area of interests are but not limited to sociology of personal attire, religion, social construction of social reality, and negotiated meanings of every day interactions.

Laraib Fatima

Laraib Fatima is Student of sociology at Department of Sociology, University of Gujrat, Pakistan. Her main area of research is religious beliefs and choices. She can be reached at following email address.